The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-10-20


The Presidents party arrived al Memphis on
the 18th, and was received by great assemblage
and general demonstrations of welcome. The
telegraphic report says that "the decorations
were probably more elaborate aud more general
than those OF any place yet visited by the Presi-
dent, with the possible exception OF Madison"
AT a stand in court house square the address of
welcome was delivered by Judge H. 7. Elicit,
and was very eloquent and appropriate-and,
sad to tell, the words were his last While
standing amid the crowd and listening to the
Presidents reply, and near its conclusion, Judge
Elicit suddenly sank down on chair, lost con-
ciousness and died a few minutes after Mr..
Cleveland left the stand. II was said that he
had tainted, and when his death occurred it was
not announced lest it should prevent the recep-
ton about to take place at the Cotton Exchange.
The President went from the Exchange to his
train, and was not informed of Judge Elett's
death until some distance from Memphis, when
he was greatly shocked, and expressed much
sympathy for the bereaved family and regret for
the loss Of the man who be had seen for the first
time that day but who had impressed him most
favorably.
The following is the press report of the Presi-
dents speech:
The city of Memphis represents neither new
settlement nor q recent municipal creation
She has long history, full of vicissituies and
Tennessee in its first growth was illustrated the
universal push and activity of its people. have
come from sightseeing in the wonderful West to
be still surprised in the South. From marvel
lous growth have come to see not only marvel
Gus growth. but astounding recuperaton The
active trade upon your streets and in your ex-
change tells only tale Of one of the largest COT
ton markets 10 the world, and Of one of the most
prosperous and f1ourishing cities of the South
Scarcely trace is seen of the trials and discour
agements through which ii passed in gaining its
present position, and yet, when it had, in 1862
by steady growth reached population OF 80. 600 !;
II was occupied by military force and for four
years thereafter was held as a fortified camp.
During this time the people were scattered, and
its growth checked. When at the close of the
war its citizens returned to their homes, they
colrageously set about repairing the damage Of
the war and military occupation. Although
within ten years thereafter twice has this city
afflicted with yellow fever, yet through these
visitations her people struggled on, determined
to overcome them. In 1878, when once more ap-
parently on the high road 10 permanent pros
perity, this devoted city was again visited by
this dreadful scourge in more malignant form
than ever before No one can wonder that in
the dreaded presence of this dire calamity its
suffering citizens fled for their lives. OF the
population, which through all discouragements
had reached 10000, about $4,000 of these white,
fully 5000 died of the terrible epidemic in two
and a half months. In this sombre picture let
US contemplate a moment one bright spot lighted
up by the spirit of brotherly love and Illuminated
by the kindly sympathy of a generous nation.
Ernn oil IF tha nfru md aiofo mt
from the North and from the South-came
prompt and cheerful help, supplying needs and
alternating suffering. The whole people We're
touched by your suffering, and the n0blest traits
of our national character were quckened by
your calamity. When the pcstience, exhausted
by lis viruence, abandoned the city, It's people
returned to find their t1ourlshing business gone
and the value of their property destroyed. With
undmnished confidence IN the future of their
city, they submitted to enormous taxation for the
improvement Of its sanitary condition and la
bored to regain their fortunes. They soon Sc
cured system Of sewerage that not only prom
ised them protection against pestilence, but
which became known throughout all the cities
of the country for its completeness. Other ex-
tensive improvements were also made, and soon
the citizens of Memphis again saw their city
with wonderful strides pushing on 10 greatness
and prosperity. Her population, as estimated,
now reaches more than 10000 Inhabitants The
merchants of Memphis will have in their hands
during the current year more than 100, 900 bales
of cotton valued at $30,000,0eO The annual
product of her cotton seed mills is the largest in
the world, and her banking capital and business
are in keeping with her immense industries,
while the value OF real estate in the city has
nearly or quite trebled since 1878 Thus have
you conquered at last and overcome the ravages
of war and pestilence. You may we'll forget all
former Affections in the growth and prosperity
of the present, remembering only that in your d.
rest extremity proof was given of the brotherhood
of American people. The patriotic sentiment
expressed on your behalf by your honored fel-
low citizen in his address of welcome am sure
l may say will be generously responded 10 by
your countrymen of the North. They want, l
believe, rest from sectional bitterness, and they
know that the destiny of our country is only to
be achieved by true union in sentiment and
feeling, as well as in name The business inter
ests of our people are too alert and intelligent TO
be sacrificed or injured by selfish appeals to pas
sion, which should be allayed. They only insist
that all the results of the arbitrament of arms,
to which reference has been here made, shall be
fully retained and enforced. There flows past
your city our nations great river, which you
rightfully regard as the most important factor in
your present and future welfare, and which
believe is universally recognized as proper OBJ
ject of governmental protection and improve
ment-and to Memphis, and to every other
city on its banks, improvement of this vast high
way of commerce is 30 essential that all should
be interested in having this and other proper
works Of the same description considered upon
their merits and freed from schemes, sometimes
questionable in their character, and often ex-
,ravagant in their demands. l desire to return
10 the kind citizens of Memphis and its neigh.
borhood my thanks for their cordial greeting,
with wish that hereafter nothing but prosperity
will follow their activity and enterprise.